Sharing my joy of fishing, especially river smallmouth, has always been a passion of mine.
Yes, I enjoy catching…who doesn’t? But helping someone connect the dots or catch their personal best has been so satisfying for me.
Being able to share my personal experiences and tactics through various forms of media over the last 35 years has truly been a great outlet. I never saw myself as a guide, but I enjoy it more than I ever anticipated. And frankly, introducing people, especially children to the joy of smallmouth fishing, fuels the passion.
If you have followed me here or attended any of my seminars, you are familiar with my description of smallmouth being reckless by nature. The main difference between smallmouth and many other freshwater species such as largemouth, trout, pike and musky, is that they rarely turn down the opportunity for a meal. More often than not, if a lure is presented within their strike zone, they are going to eat it.
Whether opportunistic or reckless, it is this attitude that makes them perfect for introducing children to fishing.
Another great attribute is their tenacity and ability to fight well beyond their size. On a recent trip with a pair of anglers who chase largemouth exclusively, the one statement that they repeated through the day was, “I cannot believe how hard these smallmouth bass fight, even the smaller ones!”
Add all these characteristics together into a body of water with a healthy population of smallmouth, and you have what I believe is the perfect situation for successfully introducing children to fishing. Active fish that are willing to chase lures and put up some acrobatics is a recipe for success.
Having introduced hundreds of children to fishing, here are a few lessons learned along the way to help parents, grandparents and accompanying adults prepare for the trip.
Selecting a rod and reel and taking time for a little casting practice can be a bunch of fun for children. Casting plugs can be purchased in any tackle shop or fishing department. They are great for little ones to practice with before the actual outing.
We use spinning gear during our guide trips with children, and children from six years old catch on surprisingly quick. Live bait such as nightcrawlers and hellgrammites will surely work, but do not disregard the use of artificial jigs.
Zman, TicklerZ, and BugZ on our rivers are great for Ned rigging. Bass can’t resist them, and they offer a great catch rate for youth anglers. Paddle-tail swims and curl tail grubs are also great lures to put youth anglers on. Especially for those who tend to reel more than you might like. Remember bass love to chase lures and these two lures are a perfect match for children and catching.
Every child is different and so is their attention span. Some will fish for hours and others will lose attention quickly. So, temper your expectations and be prepared to take a break.
This sounds easy enough, but most parents are so focused on fishing and catching that they lose sight of the fun part. For adults, catching is the goal. But enjoying the outing may come down to sum of all the parts for the kids. Bring plenty of snacks and beverages. A backpack full of your child’s favorite snacks, some juice boxes and water will go a long way if the bite gets slow. A minnow net and a small bucket will open a world of exploration. Whether bank fishing or fishing from a boat, taking time to explore along the shallow shoreline to flip rocks and search for signs of aquatic life will be fun and educational. If the location and time of year allow it, getting knee deep in shallow water will offer a great deal of fun.
I personally have never met a child who didn’t want to get their feet wet and play in shallow water. Flipping, skipping or throwing rocks in the water will just add to the fishing experience. Water shoes are a must in these cases (for children and adults).
The idea of fishing and catching is a great deal of fun for children. Just be aware that for some younger children, the sight of a flopping fish just inches away from them can be frightening. We are looking for smiles and not tears. Some children take to holding fish immediately and with others, it takes some time. Let us face it, the idea of sticking your finger in a critter’s mouth to hold it is a strange concept. I suggest having a pair of fish grippers on hand to make holding safe.
Taking a child fishing offers far more than just catching fish. So please do not ignore the joy of quiet moments, sharing nature and just doing the little things that only time on the water can produce. With busy work and family lives, time in nature with children is needed now more than ever.
Seeing deer, herons, egrets, or the ever-growing population of eagles on our waterways is indeed therapeutic. Remember to celebrate each catch, large or small and talk about the different species that are caught. Parents can also use this time to share the importance of catch and release along with selective harvesting.
Remember, it’s not about perfection, it’s about making memories and passing on a legacy of love for the outdoors. Fishing is a great place to unplug from today’s busy world, and a place where we can enter into a child’s world through the exploration of the outdoors.
Fishing was a legacy of love and memories with my own grandfather that I am passing on to my children and my grandchildren. That is what I share with parents who want to do the same. A gift of quality time and memories that last a lifetime.
